SINO-VIETNAMESE RELATIONS, 1771-1802: FROM CONTENTION TO FAITHFUL CORRELATION

Abstract

This article attempts to examine the nature of the Tay Son period (1771-1802), through the study of their foreign relations with the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in which the latter became closely involved in Vietnamese affairs. The uprising of Tay Son had lead a heterogeneous military force that ousted the Trinh and Nguyen families and eventually toppled the 348 year- old Le Dynasty (1428-1776) where China recognized herself as the legitimate rulers of Vietnam. Hence, this gave rise to serious friction and profoundly altered the relationship between the two countries. Findings suggested that Tay Son rulers willingly accepted their role as minor partners with China being the largest partner after relations returned to their traditional period. Vietnam clearly realized she had to acknowledge China’s suzerainty and become a tributary in order to avoid China’s intervention in their internal affairs.